National Space Technology Strategy - April 2014 Space
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Special
Knowledge
Interest
Transfer
Group
Network
Space
Aerospace & Defence
National Space
Technology Strategy
April 2014
Written By
The UK National Space Technology Steering Group.
Executive Summary
“We have a tremendous opportunity in front of us. We remain committed
to the goal of raising our share of the expected £400 billion global space-
enabled market to 10% by 2030. We have added an interim goal of
growing the UK space industry to £19 billion turnover by 2020.”
Andy Green, Space Growth Action Plan, 2014.
This document has been prepared by the UK National Space Technology Steering Group as
part of to the Space Innovation and Growth Strategy (IGS) 2014-2030 Space Growth Action
plan, to articulate a national space technology strategy that forms a crucial element of the
IGS delivery plan.
As future terrestrial technologies become increasingly unable to meet the needs of growing
international markets, there will be an increasing need for ‘Smart Space’ that is connected,
capable, adaptable, accessible and affordable. To achieve this vision a coherent set of key
aims have been identified:
• Smart and Connected;
• Lower Cost and Timeliness;
• Sustainable;
• Secure, Safe and Resilient;
• Forward Looking
This document sets out the vision, aims, technology themes and specific technologies
that will meet the needs of the IGS identified markets with the highest growth potential, as
illustrated below:
The realisation of the vision will involve, in the short term, the delivery of products and
services based on existing technologies, and in the medium to long term, the progressive
introduction of smart, potentially disruptive space technologies and services.
The successful implementation of this strategy requires a continued and deepening
partnership between government, academia and industry, enhancing uptake of STEM
subjects in education, and embracing innovative working practices.
Patrick Wood, Airbus
Ben Olivier, SEA Ltd
On behalf of the National Space Technology Steering Group
Supported by the Space Special Interest Group
2
Contents
1 Vision & Aims 4
2 Introduction 7
3 Background 8
4 Examples of current UK Strengths 11
5 Technology Themes 12
6 Linking to the Existing Five Space Technology Domains 13
7 Delivery 17
8 Appendices - Space National Technical Committee Updates 18
3
1 Vision & Aims
Space is a maturing and growing market sector and The Space Growth Action Plan detailed growth market
it is important that the UK influence, prepare for and opportunities and 15 priority markets where the UK has
embrace, the changes that lie ahead. It is vital that the the greatest opportunity to enter the space market and
UK positions itself to contribute to and benefit from stimulate growth (Figure 1). Each market is predicted
future ‘game changing’ technologies, in so far that they to be worth at least £1 billion annually to UK-based
can be predicted. To this end this report is intended to suppliers within 20 years.
guide both the Space IGS, and the implementation of
the Space Technology Roadmaps.
Figure 1 Space Action Growth Plan – Markets (Priority Markets identified in Red)
4
Smart Space – A Vision future potential that this opens up. Inspiring future
generations to expand knowledge and help make
As society moves from National to Global, it will no
the most of the resources that lie just beyond our
longer be acceptable to maintain the patchwork
fingertips today is an essential goal.
infrastructure of today. The intrusive and expensive
nature of surface-based solutions will become
antiquated within half a generation, giving way to
Imagine reaching into the universe with ease
capable, adaptable, accessible and affordable Space-
based systems. Going way beyond the excitement ...imagine a universe opened by Smart Space.
of today’s e-connectivity, with social and economic
benefits beyond imagination, the era of Smart Space is Access to these markets will come through the
rapidly upon us. Stories of large swathes of the planet systematic removal of barriers as well as through
remaining ‘unserved’ will be relegated to the history technology innovation. The UK Space Technology
books or to folk lore used by parents to amaze their Strategy provides a translation of the priority market
children. needs into a set of technology-enabled themes
which will provide the foundation for delivering the
Space Action Growth Plan. The aims listed in the
Imagine a world with no ‘not spots’ ...imagine a following table address the market opportunities
world enabled by Smart Space. that encompass “Smart Space – A Vision”. Figure 2
following the table illustrates the current and existing
barriers to be overcome in achieving these aims.
Looking out beyond our planet, it will be possible to to
reach, explore and understand our universe with all the
Smart & Connected
Why Broadband, Navigation, Surveillance, Climate Monitoring. Satellites need to be able to provide
assured coverage and availability and to be able to work with small devices on-ground build on and
enhance terrestrial technologies. Connectivity will unleash increased performance and versatility.
What • Autonomous, reconfigurable, adaptable and intelligent on-orbit platforms
• Inter-satellite communication, connected constellations of satellites, connecting a variety of on
orbit sensors and payloads, employing common interfaces and communication protocols
• Small and low cost ground assets
• Joined up approach of optimisation between space and ground elements
Lower Cost & Timeliness
Why Increased competitiveness of space solutions vs their terrestrial equivalents.
What • Delivery replenishment & servicing systems (launch & in orbit access)
• Changing the model from use and lose to launch, recover, re-launch
• Both on-orbit and ground assets
• modernise and simplify the institutional model to reduce cost & time
Sustainable
Why Competitiveness - avoiding increasing cost. Over the next twenty years we will see the gradual
transition to a new model where some or all space assets are designed to be serviced, reusable
or have constituent materials that are recoverable. If the model is not sustainable, then increasing
governance will drive costs up.
What • Replenishment, repair, servicing and disposal
• Debris removal
• Green & Sustainable technologies
Table 1: Aims within the Vision continued...
5
Secure, Safe & Resilient
Why Markets will demand increasing security, resistance to cyber-attack, the more dependent the
services become on space infrastructure. This is seen in how today’s terrestrial technology trends
and associated user requirements have evolved.
What • Surveillance
• Data Security & resilience
• Encryption
• Space Weather
Forward Looking
Why The requirement to proactively look for the next game changing and/or disruptive technology must
be serviced in any long term technology strategy. Technology advances at a frightening rate in
most sectors and therefore a key part of the national strategy must be to ensure that the technology
horizon is actively and constantly scanned.
What • Identifying future applications
• Technology Demonstration
• Space Science as a source of innovation, education and training
Table 1: Aims within the Vision
Figure 2: Aims and Barriers to be Overcome
6
2 Introduction
Space is a maturing and growing market sector and The Space Technology roadmaps helped to shape
it is important that the UK influence, prepare for and the initial technology delivery, but lacked detailed
embrace, the changes that lie ahead. It is vital that the prioritisation. However, this work goes on to deliver
UK positions itself to contribute to and benefit from a prioritised technology plan that identifies cross-
future ‘game changing’ technologies, in so far that they cutting technology themes (those relevant to multiple
can be predicted. To this end this report is intended to applications) with the potential for large market impact.
guide both the Space IGS, and the implementation of The strategic work and technology assessments carried
the Space Technology Roadmaps. out in the preparation of this report have focused on
high growth markets with greater emphasis on the
The 2010 Space Innovation and Growth Strategy (IGS) identification of cross cutting and ‘game changing’
required a National Space Technology Strategy and a technology areas. This plan is not confined to a
National Space Technology Programme. In response particular level in the supply chain but recognises its
Industry, Academia and Government have established a inherent connectivity. An assessment of our ability to
strong track record in planning technology delivery. Led reach the vision described earlier, has exposed gaps in
by industry, a National Space Technology Strategy was the UK supply chain, that this plan aims to address.
published, together with a set of associated technology The National Space Technology Strategy cannot
roadmaps, in 2011 and updated in 2012. Government be seen in isolation. ESA holds a European space
launched the National Space Technology Programme technology master plan which it rolls out though its
with £10 million in funding in 2011 and a further £25 technology programme and the EU has identified
million announced. It is estimated that the first £10 technological priorities for space as part of Horizon
million has already delivered a benefit of between 2020. Through, for instance, the Space SIG (becoming
£50m and £75m to the UK economy (Space Innovation a theme within the new look KTN) and the Satellite
and Growth Strategy 2014-2030 – Space for Growth – Applications Catapult the UK will ensure compatibility
published by Space IGS). with these wider initiatives and benefit from their funding
opportunities.
7
3 Background
Thanks to smart phones fuelling demand for mobile and reliably accessible launch services and systems
connectivity, the emergence of an ‘Internet of Things’, are critical in underpinning any economically driven
a rapidly growing range of data-driven services, the Space Programme, and therefore nationally developed
demand for global monitoring of our climate and the solutions are, and must be part of the Technology
near ubiquity of navigation-based products, our day to Strategy Agenda.
day relationship with space has changed more in the
past five years than in the previous four decades. Add to Earth Observation
this the UK’s track record in space technology together
Earth Observation provides valuable data about the
with its well-developed industrial sector and we have
Earth’s changing environment and also the validation of
both the driver and the capability for rapid and sustained
measurement techniques which can be used to develop
growth. We stand at the dawn of a New Space Age and
future commercial applications. Earth Observation has
thanks to many years of investment in space science,
spin-offs into other areas of terrestrial application such
earth observation and space technology, we are ready
as security and medicine.
to take advantage of this opportunity.
Earth Observation is an important tool in many
This ‘New Space Age’ must build on the infrastructure
international contexts, from weather forecasting to
that has evolved over the past forty years. That heritage
climate change and disaster monitoring. Commercial
is an undoubted strength: space works, and works
Earth Observation sometimes appears to sit a little
well. Yet we must be cautious of traditional models
awkwardly within this context with services being
that become a source of inertia, increasing complexity,
provided by a limited number of operators who are
slowing progress, keeping costs high and stifling
reliant on institutional funding for the majority of
innovation. The technological risk aversion of the major
their business. However, businesses recognise the
space institutions leads to very long programmes but
value of Earth Observation data – e.g. in the areas of
also to peremptory technology development (e.g.
precision farming, geological exploitation, insurance,
through its technology programmes) which often has
and shipping. There is a need to provide a range of
wider application. Bilateral programmes can lever
Earth observation services across differing markets that
engagement with 1st world and BRIC countries etc. and
integrate a mixed asset base that includes a variety of
also provide a rapid route to space demonstration.
satellite capabilities and orbits. Geostationary satellites
can provide near global and continuous coverage, but
The following paragraphs briefly describe the usage
the data may lack the detail required for many emerging
domains identified to be of key importance, and also
business applications, while low Earth orbit (LEO)
outlines the existing academic and industrial supply
satellite data provide the detail but are not continuous.
chain. Ground Infrastructure underpins the capabilities
Integrating and enhancing this EO capability e.g.
in all these areas.
through the creation of constellations in LEO and a
European Data Relay Satellite (the program by ESA
Access to Space
specifically to meet the demands of data upload from
Access to Space is principally about delivering LEO satellites) is a necessary way forward.
spacecraft into orbit, or launch services, but in the IGS
and National Space Strategy context, it also includes Navigation
the means to accommodate and support payloads,
Satellite navigation has become an integral part of
(experiments, sensors etc) in orbit and therefore
business and consumer life. Within the European
includes satellite platforms and associated technologies
context the Galileo programme is becoming established
such as transfer propulsion. The UK has a strong track
and there is now a need to exploit this capability through
record and capability in this area, with revolutionary
applications. Moreover, the next generation Galileo is
technologies such as the SABRE air breathing rocket
already under consideration with satellite programmes
engine under development and also a world leading
beginning in 2018 and the UK needs to prepare for
capability in developing short lead time, low cost
this new opportunity through the development of
satellite platforms. Whilst there is no current operational
enabling new technologies. Also of note have been the
capability in terms of conventional (chemical,
navigation augmentation payloads such as EGNOS
expendable rocket) launch systems in the UK, the core
and WAAS hosted on commercial telecommunications
expertise and knowledge is present, from historical UK
satellites. The UK has a very strong market share in
launcher projects such as Black Arrow and the newer
the commercial development and manufacture of
generation of launch systems pioneers engaged in
navigation-related technology and is very well placed
project such as SKYLON. Timely access to space for
to develop future mainstream and niche consumer
small payloads is currently problematic. The need to
equipment and applications.
share launches often leads to delay (such has been
the case for TechDemoSat and UKube-1). Affordable
8
The evolution of the Galileo capability is driven by a
number of key factors, such as increased platform &
launcher flexibility, robustness, service performance and
utilisation.
A strategy for navigation would include;
• developing applications and associated ground
technology to allow revenue earning from the
largely free navigation signals;
• long term technology development to ensure that
the UK will be a major supplier in future systems
Science and Exploration
Science and Exploration programmes address some
of the most profound questions (is there life elsewhere
in the universe? How were the Sun and Earth formed?
…). The UK has an outstanding track record in this
area with a breadth of capability in the area of sensing
and sensor data processing. UK-built instruments are
at the heart of most of the major European missions
and many of those of the USA, Japan and elsewhere.
These necessarily bespoke and challenging satellite
developments provide opportunity for innovation,
in-flight demonstration and training that feeds the
commercial sector. The science and exploration
programmes ‘spin-along’ technology developments
with other sectors for mutual benefit. It is essential to
maintain participation in a portfolio of space science
SAFER Field Trials © SCISYS Ltd
missions including large, long-timescale, observatory
class ESA missions, supplemented by shorter timescale
(e.g. bilateral) programmes, which have declined in
recent years. Science missions provide an important
inspiration factor in the training of the next generation of Secure satellite communication are an essential element
scientists and engineers. of all major national defence and security services and
represent a significant market opportunity. The four
Telecommunications Skynet 5 satellites, developed in the UK, provide secure
communications within the UK defence sector and
There are approximately 1,100 discrete
earn valuable revenue from sale of excess capacity to
telecommunications satellites in space, mostly
friendly nations. Work has now begun on defining the
in geosynchronous orbit (36,000km from Earth)
requirements and technologies for their successors.
providing services anywhere. Ubiquitous in broadcast,
satellites facilitate multiple applications as well as a
The UK Space Sector Supply Chain
host of ‘life support’ services ranging from maritime
communications to consumer broadband. The majority The differentiating characteristic of the current space
of this infrastructure is operated commercially, with supply chain is that one or more high-value assets are
time and bandwidth sub-let to third parties such as TV launched into space, at very great cost, maintained there
stations. The wider commercial market is becoming for a certain period, then discarded. Thus leverage of
increasingly competitive as many nations view satellite the supply chain’s efforts is a focus of the many supply
telecommunications as critical national capability, chain stakeholders – Government, Academia and
while nations such as China and India are recognising Industry.
telecommunication to be a valuable commercial
opportunity. It is therefore critical in the face of this The academic sector (e.g. University space groups
increasing competition, to support and preserve our interested in Earth observation, space science and
core strengths in payloads and platforms, and to bring space engineering) has been engaged with space
forward new and potentially disruptive technologies since the early 1950’s and much of our understanding
such as the all-electric spacecraft. of its particular challenges comes as a result of this
early investment. University and other research groups
9
develop enabling technologies for future missions and roll out this capability through knowledge exchange, teaching and training programmes as well as specialist services. The academic space sector continues to score well above its weight in all international science output assessments and inspires individuals into STEM careers. Space research provides a natural vehicle for technological innovation, international collaboration and associated commercial leverage and also spins out into many other sectors e.g. biomedical, aerospace and energy. Sustaining this aspect of Space alongside industry is hence essential for medium to long term growth. The space sector supply chain comprises technology creators (often within academia), component and equipment suppliers, prime contractors, launcher providers, satellite operators, ground segment providers including data processors and service providers. In all areas except launch services, the UK is already well established (see e.g ‘The Size and Health of the UK Space Industry, published by the UK Space Agency, 2010). The case is made below that the UK should increase its footprint in launcher technologies, – see Access to Space. Autonomous navigation © SCISYS 10
4 Examples of current UK Strengths
There are very many examples of UK excellence in the space sector at every level of the supply chain.
Given below are just a few.
The UK national programme NovaSAR-S is an innovative, low cost approach
to all weather synthetic aperture radar imaging. Based on an existing SSTL-300
platform the satellite is designed to operate either independently or part of a
small constellation. Its principle applications will include disaster monitoring,
ship detection, crop management and ice detection.
Contributions to the ESA ExoMars programme have enabled UK industry to
develop a lead in space robotics and in particular vision based navigation in
harsh environments. A series of successful trials in the Atacama desert have
demonstrated how robust the technology now is and is allowing its deployment
in other sectors such as mining, utilities and defence.
© SCISYS
The Eurostar 3000 telecommunications bus was developed with significant UK
support through the ESA ARTES programme and has gone on to form the basis
of more than 40 spacecraft development contracts worth more than 650 million
pounds to the UK, including the UK Skynet 5 and Inmarsat 4 series.
The UK leads the world in the development of future air-breathing rocket
engines and space planes. With £60m of UK government support and matching
private funding the Reaction Engines teams has begun its next phase of engine
and light weight heat exchanger development.
The Gaia spacecraft, launched in 2013 will study the dynamics of our galaxy
using the largest focal plane ever flown in space. 106 e2v charge couple devices
make up this 0.5 m2 structure and deliver almost a 1 Giga-pixel array.
Terrafix is a mobile computing and navigation system for the emergency
and security services that uses GNSS signals. The picture shows a typical
Emergency Ambulance; in all some 10,000 operational ambulances are
supported, and a single trust (out of14) attends 2000-3000 incidents per day of
7 minutes average duration. The system is high pressure, life critical, 365/24/7
and has enabled improvements in individual incident response times despite
reduction in the number of assets.
115 Technology Themes
The work of the National Space Technology Steering
Group and the Space National Technical Committees
sought to bring together the insights so that prioritisation
and cross cutting technology themes could be identified.
The insights included:
• Market research through the Space Innovation and
Growth Strategy (2014 – 2030);
• The Technology Roadmaps which detailed a range
of technologies across technology readiness levels;
• The space sector supply chain.
A review and mapping of these three “data sets”
provided insights into a series of cross-cutting themes
and specific technologies that, if focused on, will
produce capabilities that will allow the markets identified
in the IGS to be addressed, therefore enabling space
infrastructure solutions to be deployed. This will enable
the required revenue generating services, and hence the
economic growth required, to be delivered. LISA Pathfinder
The translation of the market requirements into
required capabilities, technology themes and specific
technologies, all under the banner of the overall vision
for the strategy is broadly illustrated in the figure below.
This also shows the role of the Technology Roadmaps
Referring back to the vision for the Technology Strategy,
the majority of the markets identified in the IGS can
be delivered through the establishing of a number of
constellations of on orbit assets (i.e. satellites), all of
which can work together in a coherent and transparent
manner, from the user’s viewpoint. This ‘neural’ network
could then make the full range of satellite services
achievable and accessible utilizing continental broadcast
to low latency single hop communications including
enabling 24-hour data relay for Earth observing satellite
constellations .This would provide the benefits of near-
real time data for personal and national use.
Figure 3 : Linking Markets to Technologies
126
Linking to the Existing Five
Space Technology Domains
The following 5 domains and associated National
Technology Committees relate to the usage domains
mentioned earlier:
• Access to Space
• Position, Navigation and Timing
• Robotics and Exploration
• Sensing
• Telecommunications
The National Space Technology Roadmaps are
contained within these five domains, and these
roadmaps identify which broad and specific
technologies are required in order to enable market
linked capabilities to be realised. Whilst some
capabilities are clearly satisfied by technologies
contained within a single domain, others require
contributions from multiple domains, and therefore a
robust mapping of the markets across to the roadmaps
as a whole is clearly required.
The following Technology Themes are identified as
key to realisation and delivery of the services required
by the priority markets. These themes can be applied
in a variety of combinations in order to provide the
capabilities required to deliver the services
• Sensors: Optical, Radar, Thermal
• Communication & Navigation Payloads: (Inter-
satellite and Space-Ground)
• Next Generation, Autonomous and Intelligent
Satellite Platforms: (For use in multiple and varying
orbits)
• Satellite Delivery Systems, i.e. Launch Vehicles &
Systems
• On Orbit Maintenance, Servicing, Disposal
• Ground Segment Infrastructure (including data
processing/mining) and User Terminals
• Data Security
• Future Applications
The table below identifies the technologies, by domain,
that are key to enabling the capabilities demanded by
the markets. All of these technologies are captured
in the current roadmaps, identified by the NTCs, and
therefore serve to inform the entire UK space industry
on which technologies are required to facilitate the
delivery of the IGS as a whole. In the main, these build
on existing technologies and capabilities.
Cyclone Nargis
13Nature & Magnitude of Development generation control systems and mobile terminals)
Programmes Required require relatively low levels of investment and time,
whilst others (such as launcher developments) would
Whilst the following tables indicate which technologies require orders of magnitude more in funding and many
are required to enable the market associated services years to be realised – these would also constitute major
and capabilities, they clearly do not give an indication development projects which would require review,
of the maturity of the technologies, nor the likely approval and funding mechanisms over and above
magnitude of the development programmes (in terms those within the perimeter of the UK’s government
of investment and time) required to realise them. Some space bodies.
of the technologies and capabilities (such as next
Technology Domain Specific Technology Technology Theme (Primary) Market Relevance
Low cost chemical propulsion for high
Launch Vehicles & Systems
thrust (small launch vehicle) systems All (Underpinning Theme)
Low cost chemical propulsion for lower
Satellite Platforms All (Underpinning Theme)
thrust (orbit transfer) systems.
Improved electric propulsion for orbital
Satellite Platforms All (Underpinning Theme)
transfer and station keeping
Systems engineering tools for launch
Launch Vehicles & Systems All (Underpinning Theme)
systems
Access to Space
Avionics for launch vehicles Launch Vehicles & Systems All (Underpinning Theme)
Lightweight and low cost
thermostructural materials with
Launch Vehicles & Systems, Satellite
potential both for game changing All (Underpinning Theme)
Platforms
reusable launch vehicles, and ultra low
cost expendable vehicles
Spacecraft platform designs that
enable miniaturisation and significant Satellite Platforms All (Underpinning Theme)
cost savings
Payload (Galileo and EGNOS) future Security & Safety, Public Sector
Communication & Navigation Payloads
development, Services
Galileo Public Regulated Service Security & Safety, Public Sector
Data Security
(PRS), encryption; Services
GNSS robustness and Interference Security & Safety, Public Sector
Data Security
Positioning, Navigation & detection and mitigation; Services
Timing
Ground Segment Infrastructure and
Advanced and innovative receiver Public Sector Services, Security &
User Terminals
development and commercialisation; Safety
Next generation EGNOS (V3) design,
Public Sector Services, Security &
implementation and services plus Communication & Navigation Payloads
Safety
associated Galileo Mission activities;
On Orbit Maintenance, Servicing,
Autonomous/Intelligent Vehicles Security & Safety
Disposal
On Orbit Maintenance, Servicing,
Robotic Manipulators Security & Safety
Disposal
Robotics & Exploration
Penetrators and Landers Game Changing Services
Robotic Support of Manned
Game Changing Services
Exploration
Table 2: Technology Development links to Markets
14Maritime surveillance, Disaster
Technologies for low cost radar management , Persistent Surveillance,
Sensors
systems, including NovaSAR Climate & Environment Services,
Security & Safety
Imaging systems with infra-red (IR) Climate & Environment Services,
capability -shortwave, medium wave Sensors Security & Safety, Smart cities ,
Sensors and thermal IR Maritime surveillance
Low cost imaging spectrometers
Sensing Climate & Environment Services,
for atmospheric greenhouse gas Sensors
Security & Safety, carbon monitoring
monitoring
Persistent Surveillance, Climate &
Detectors (IR and visible) for EO,
Sensors Environment Services, Security &
defence and surveillance
Safety, Smart cities, carbon monitoring
Climate & Environment, Services,
High performance computing, data
Satellite Platforms Smart cities, Disaster monitoring,
mining and image processing
Security & Safety
Public Sector Services, Security &
Next generation communications
Satellite Platforms Safety, E-Connectivity,
satellite platforms.
High throughput payloads for Public Sector Services, Security &
broadband, broadcast and fixed Communication & Navigation Payloads Safety, E-Connectivity,
services
Public Sector Services, Security &
Transparent and regenerative digital Satellite Platforms,
Safety, E-Connectivity
processors Communication & Navigation Payloads
Telecommunications
Public Sector Services, Security &
Analogue flexible payload equipment Communication & Navigation Payloads Safety, E-Connectivity
Communication & Navigation Public Sector Services, Security &
Advanced antenna solutions for
Payloads, Ground Segment Safety, E-Connectivity
broadband applications
Infrastructure and User Terminals
Ground Segment Infrastructure and Public Sector Services, Security &
Low cost terminals for business and
User Terminals Safety, E-Connectivity
consumer applications.
Table 2: Technology Development links to Markets
15The following table describes how the specific
technologies link to the aims. The majority of
technologies support multiple aims from the strategy.
Technology Specific Technology Area
Secure, Safe
Sustainable
Lower Cost
Connected
Domains
& resilient
Forward
Looking
Smart &
Access to Space Low cost chemical propulsion for high thrust (small launch vehicle) ✓ ✓ ✓
Lower thrust (orbit transfer) systems. ✓ ✓
Improved electric propulsion for orbital transfer and station keeping ✓ ✓
Systems engineering tools for launch systems ✓ ✓ ✓
Avionics for launch vehicles which build on UK strengths in low cost ✓ ✓
space craft avionics
Lightweight and low cost thermostructural materials with potential ✓ ✓ ✓
both for game changing reusable launch vehicles, and ultra low cost
expendable vehicles
Spacecraft platform designs that enable miniaturisation and ✓ ✓ ✓
significant cost savings
Positioning, Payload (Galileo and EGNOS) future development, ✓ ✓ ✓
Navigation & Timing
Galileo Public Regulated Service (PRS), encryption; ✓
GNSS robustness and Interference detection and mitigation; ✓ ✓
Advanced and innovative receiver development and ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
commercialisation;
Next generation EGNOS (V3) design, implementation and services ✓ ✓
plus associated Galileo Mission activities;
Robotics & Autonomous/Intelligent Vehicles ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Exploration
Robotic Manipulators ✓ ✓
Penetrators and Landers ✓
Robotic Support of Manned Exploration ✓
Sensing Technologies for low cost radar systems, including NovaSAR ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Imaging systems with infra-red (IR) capability -shortwave, medium ✓ ✓
wave and thermal IR
Low cost imaging spectrometers for atmospheric greenhouse gas ✓ ✓ ✓
monitoring
Detectors (IR and visible) for EO, defence and surveillance ✓ ✓ ✓
High performance computing, data mining and image processing ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Telecommunications Next generation communications satellite platforms. ✓
High throughput payloads for broadband, broadcast and fixed services ✓
Transparent and regenerative digital processors ✓ ✓
Analogue flexible payload equipment ✓ ✓
Advanced antenna solutions for broadband applications ✓
Low cost terminals for business and consumer applications. ✓ ✓
Table 3: Links between specific technologies and Aims
167
The work to date has enabled the National Space
Delivery
• managing transition of technologies from non-
Technology Steering Group to provide a timeline of commercial to commercial markets, with relatively
technology needs with linkages to markets, including long return-on-investment times;
when interventions would best be provided. The work • encouraging new enabling technologies and
has identified priority technology themes including training through science/institutional investment;
specific technologies which could shape a national
• supporting SMEs as a catalyst for innovation.
technology programme, stimulate innovation and
interest in collaborative research and development, and
It is apparent that there needs to be a continued and
benefit from rapid in-orbit demonstration.
deepening partnership between Government and
Industry. Each stakeholder has an important role to
Further, these roadmaps have been generated by a
play and responsibilities to bear alongside the UK
wide range of experts, knowledgeable about European
Space Agency and industry will sit key actors such
capabilities. They achieve a balance between the
as the Technology Strategy Board, KTNs, the Satellite
ESA technology harmonisation process, associated
Applications Catapult as well as European bodies such
European roadmaps and commercial & strategic
as ESA and the EU.
UK needs. In this way, UK investment is targeted to
maximum effect, leveraging impact through alignment
Measurement of successful implementation should be
with European capabilities.
established by the UK Space Agency in the context
of the IGS targets, across the short, medium and long
In order to be successful, the right business
terms. Key metrics should be directly linked to the
environment must be created, the right delivery
realisation of the aims highlighted in the Smart Space
mechanisms need to be available and the right
vision.
investment decisions should be made at the appropriate
time. An increasingly sophisticated approach to
Realistically, everything on the roadmaps is unlikely to
technology funding is needed, taking full account
be afforded at the same time – either from the public or
of parameters such as market size and maturity as
private purses. Therefore, a phase approach will offer a
well as return-on-investment timescales. Government
practical model, leading to decisions on prioritisation.
intervention needs to take account of market and/or
The figure below shows an approach to a phased
technology maturity, with the aims of:
implementation, which recognises the situation today
• encouraging a commercially viable environment for and logical steps to be taken. The intermediate steps
private investment; provide measurable way-points for monitoring success.
• enabling self-standing, robust commercial
markets that do not require ongoing government
investment in order to make them viable;
178
Appendices - Space National
Technical Committee Updates
Robotics and Exploration • A thriving Cross Sectorial collaboration to enable spin in and
out of technologies between space and related sectors
Exploration and Robotics includes all types of robotics for the • A regular set of Field Trials and demonstrations held in
exploration of a planet surface as well as robotics used in orbit around appropriate challenging locations that help build confidence
the earth and the sensors needed by the platform for navigation or and show the applicability of systems.
control.
• European Centre of Excellence in developing technologies for
Exploration and Robotics is an area of the space industry that is driven Autonomous and Intelligent Systems.
heavily by technology and which faces huge challenges to achieve the
mission science goals. It is mainly concerned with upstream activities
R&E Vision Longer term (>10 years)
with very little direct downstream benefits to the space industry. It does
The technologies for these systems are becoming pervasive in
however have excellent potential for spin along activities allowing the
terrestrial applications, which can be characterised as dirty, dull and
spinning in of terrestrial technologies from other sectors as well as
dangerous. The facilities from the medium term vision are enabling
then spinning out the resulting technology advances. The very nature
technologies to be adopted and by building on those future space
of exploration of other planets requires cutting edge solutions to
missions such as Mars Sample Return are becoming more capable
successfully deploy robotics in remote and hazardous locations and
and cost efficient. The next generation of niche technologies include:
then operate them without ever having the option of human assistance
to perform repairs or recover from accidents. • Collaborative, and SWARM robotics - allow Exploration
Missions to be much more capable and collaborative either
From this market a strategy has been developed that builds on the between several robots or astronauts and robots.
existing excellence in certain niche technologies through to deployed • In-Situ Resource Utilisation mining of resources for use in
space and terrestrial systems that will generate growth. exploration of Mars, Moon etc
• Novel Locomotion Technologies – Includes aerobots, beneath
R&E Vision – Short term (Access to Space • Low cost chemical propulsion for high thrust (small launch
vehicle) and lower thrust (orbit transfer) systems. High thrust
Access to Space is principally about chemical propulsion test facilities. Improved electric propulsion
delivering spacecraft into orbit, or for orbital transfer and station keeping. Systems engineering
launch services. If the UK cannot If there is tools for launch systems.
one technology
guarantee regular, affordable
which symbolises
• Avionics for launch vehicles which build on UK strengths in low
and responsive access to any cost spacecraft avionics
Earth orbit, then our space the revival of a strong
British space sector it is • Lightweight and low cost thermostructural materials with
technologies and downstream potential both for game changing reusable launch vehicles, and
applications either become Launchers. Britain should
be at the forefront of the ultra low cost expendable vehicles.
irrelevant or entirely dependant
on foreign partners or suppliers.
next generation of launch • Spacecraft platform designs that enable miniaturisation and
and propulsion significant cost savings. Coupled with this, regular flight of
In this regard, access to space is
technologies. demonstration platforms to test new technologies in space.
unique in that it underpins all other
space markets: telecomms, robotics • Facilities and systems that can simulate the space environment
in particular low gravity: sounding rockets, drop towers &
& exploration, positioning navigation &
parabolic flights.
timing and sensing.
A supposedly free market exists for launch services, which to date Some of the above roadmap items , for example high thrust chemical
has provided the UK’s space industry adequate access to space. propulsion test facilities, thermostructural materials and sounding
Access to space is in reality highly political: launch service availability rockets also facilitate the SABRE advanced propulsion programme
and pricing, hence all space activity is controlled by the few nations and Skylon reusable launcher, where a large investment is already
that possess it. A further market feature is that large, traditional taking place outside of the NSTS.
spacecraft, ranging from commercial telecomsats to ESA science
missions benefit from oversupply of launch services: Growth based
on such ‘business as usual’ infrastructure will not meet UK targets,
unless a step change in access to space occurs. If the UK wishes to
grow its space activities, it needs independent control of its access to
space. Air breathing rocket engines and reusable single stage to orbit
spaceplanes such as Skylon could change the ‘business as usual’
scenario, but this approach carries many technical and market risks,
may take more than a decade to realise and does not match the UK’s
core competency in small satellites.
High thrust chemical propulsion (Airborne Engineering)
The value of small satellite technologies, low cost space missions and
their applications, from Earth observation to navigation are clear, and
represent one of the highest growth sectors in the space market. The
UK should continue to lead through development of next generation
small satellites, building on existing strong brands (2011 National
Space Technology Strategy). What is missing is a short to medium
term, low cost and with clearly defined risk, development of a UK
based small satellite launch service (UK Launch Space CITI study,
2013) The small satellite success of the UK, stimulated by BNSC’s
MOSAIC programme in 2000, was only possible because of low cost
launchers available from Russia. These launchers either no longer
exist or are only available in an irregular fashion that cannot support
the long term growth potential from small satellites. A UK small
launcher, a 21st century rebuild of Black Arrow but to a commercial
business plan with government infrastructure and development
support, will meet UK industry needs, can be developed from a UK
supply chain, and will not compete with current or planned European
launch infrastructure. This needs to be UK led due to the risks of
international partnership for a strategic, sovereign capability. UK
access to space in the short and long term, the industry ‘ask’ and
roadmap will require:
Vertical launch of sounding rocket (Newton
Launch Systems)
19Position Navigation and Timing 1. Security/resilience applications and services in the downstream
2. Payload integration capability in the upstream, in addition to
Position, Navigation and Timing technology has become embedded explicitly adding PRS as a standalone theme within the roadmap.
in many applications impacting societal challenges such as location
aware services, transport, timing and synchronisation and security The more widely accessible and profitable growth area is in the
and safety, and this will continue. Involvement in the Galileo and development of applications and services that use these technologies.
EGNOS programmes as well as R&D through both the European A step change, within three years, will be the evolution from GPS
GNSS Evolution Programme (EGEP) and Integrated Applications based location to multi-constellation GNSS, and integration with other
Promotion (IAP) ensures UK industry can capitalise on the emergent positioning capabilities to extend robust, secure and seamless PNT
commercial sector. These European-funded programmes will provide into challenging applications and environments.
UK industry with the ability to maintain momentum and international
competitiveness ahead of the EU’s proposed 7bn investment in the With respect to the infrastructure market as Galileo is deployed and
Galileo and EGNOS programmes from 2014-2020. refreshed and EGNOS is updated the current prime positioning of
UK companies becomes increasingly important. Capitalising on
The PNT NTC has ensured that this long term provides a framework this strong UK position, for example in GNSS resilience related
for scientific, technological and commercial GNSS research within opportunities through the provision of the PRS, requires a clear
UK that is well aligned and fully responsive to the European situation. national roadmap to inform all required support actions allied with a
The PNT NTC, made up of market leaders in delivery and generation strong collaboration with the Satellite Applications Catapult Centre.
of PNT capabilities, has evolved in the last 12 months, with a focus on
the whole PNT end-to-end value chain.
The PNT roadmap refresh highlights the technology focus areas
in which the UK should invest, within the context of the relevant
programmes and market timescales. A summary of where UK industry
could target early capitalisation for growth includes;
• Payload (Galileo and EGNOS) leadership retention and future
development, including potential for a further experimental
Galileo spacecraft to test new technologies;
• Galileo Public Regulated Service (PRS) and security related
evolutions in GNSS infrastructure and downstream services
including in encryption;
• GNSS robustness and Interference detection and mitigation;
• Next generation EGNOS (V3) design, implementation and
services plus associated Galileo Mission activities; advanced
and innovative receiver development and commercialisation;
• Potential hosting of future EGNOS payloads by UK satellite
operators;
• Retention of the UK’s academic leadership in European GNSS
technologies and the scientific advancement led by the UK’s
five key GNSS expert university groups.
The next 24 months will also see the concept definition of the next
generation of Galileo and UK industry involvement in the ESA
Evolution programme is critical to influence design and secure future
procurement work. The refresh exercise has re-established the
importance of two key market areas for the PNT sector in the UK:
20Satellite Telecommunications Summary of Technologies Required over the next
3 to 5 Years
Definition of Areas Covered Technology development themes have been identified which
The telecommunications market covers both the upstream will maintain and improve the competitiveness of the UK satellite
manufacturing and downstream applications / services aspects of the telecommunications industry. These are:
satellite telecommunications sector. • Increased telecommunications satellite capacity and flexibility
• Reducing cost to manufacturer, operator and user
Telecommunications dominates the UK Space industry in terms of
earnings, exports and employment for both upstream manufacturing
• Enabling new innovative services and market opportunities
and downstream services and applications.
Specific Technologies identified include:
UK industrial strengths are highlighted for the required Next generation communications satellite platforms. High throughput
telecommunications satellite systems across the full value chain: payloads for broadband, broadcast and fixed services. Transparent
and regenerative digital processors. Analogue flexible payload
• Service level (for satellite operations and service provision)
equipment, Advanced antenna solutions for broadband applications.
• System level (for Turn-Key Satellite Systems)
Low cost terminals for business and consumer applications.
• Subsystem level (e.g. Spacecraft Platforms, Payloads and Summary of how telecoms connects to markets
Antennas) Over 95% of the world commercial (non-government and institutional)
• Equipment level (e.g. Avionics, High Power Amplifiers, upstream satellite manufacturing market by value is dedicated to
Terminals) telecommunication satellites. Over 90% of the UK downstream space
• Specialist parts and services (e.g. satellite operations and market is dedicated to telecoms and satellite broadcasting.
software) UK built commercial telecommunications satellites have in recent
• Applications development (for instance maritime years secured 25% of the global market, the vast majority for export
communications) customers in Europe, the United States and the Far East. The UK
investment in telecommunications satellite capabilities has lead to the
The telecoms steering group has comprised representatives from all creation of world leading operators including Paradigm, Avanti and
these sectors of the industry. Key UK capabilities and organisations Inmarsat (a FTSE 100 company). Several hundred UK SME’s benefit
have been identified with an emphasis on securing a long-term and directly from satellite telecommunications programs.
high value of return on investment.
21Space Sensing Technologies • Traffic management and air quality monitoring
• The direct sales of high performance space instruments to
The sensing roadmap identifies the space and ground systems European and other international agencies, including for
technologies for the detection, collection and exploitation of data operational systems, which require repeat build of instruments.
for commercial, operational and scientific applications. The scope
• The spin out of technologies into non-space areas, including
is broad, including optics, detectors, instruments and supporting terrestrial and airborne environmental monitoring and health
systems for satellites and planetary landers, and also the ground applications provides further market growth potential.
technologies to handle and process the data. Many high growth
The provision of downstream EO applications is identified as an area
commercial markets - both national and export - which require sensing
of strong market growth. Developing the technologies that enable
technologies are identified in the 2014 Space IGS. These include
these applications will be a vital step in ensuring UK-based industries
maritime surveillance, persistent surveillance, climate applications and
are positioned to take advantage of this growth.
carbon monitoring.
Technologies required over the next 5 years
The sensing roadmap has been developed by the Space Sensing
Investment in innovative technology developments will be required to
National Technical Committee, with a broad representation across
secure a leading market position in the growth markets:
industry and academia. This roadmap captures in detail the main
areas of investment required in sensing technologies over the coming • Imaging systems with infra-red (IR) capability - shortwave,
5 years to capture these markets. medium wave and thermal IR
• Low cost imaging spectrometers for atmospheric greenhouse
Successes in sensing technology development gas monitoring
Recent investment by the UK Government and industry is leading to • Detectors (IR and visible) for EO, defence and surveillance
the development of an innovative low-cost radar system. NovaSAR-S and low cost radar to provide day and night all weather data
delivers all weather medium resolution Earth observation data streams
night and day at a price similar to traditional optical missions, and • Laser based systems such as LIDAR for sensing or imaging
significantly lower than any other SAR platform currently on the applications. The technologies may also be applicable for the
market, by leveraging highly efficient S-band solid state technology. communication of the high data volumes from space sensors
UK industry has been awarded a contract worth more than 100M Euro
• Expanded range and capability of sensor technologies
deployable on small and micro-satellites for Earth observation,
to build one of the main instruments, the Microwave Sounder on the including precision agriculture
Eumetsat MetOp Second Generation mission, which will make global
measurements of atmospheric temperature and pressure. • High performance computing, data mining and image
processing to improve capability for downstream applications
During 2013, UK industry won a contract to provide a compact
science and technology demonstration satellite for Kazakhstan • Continued investment into ESA science, EO and exploration
with a multispectral imaging instrument. This continues the series programmes to provide long term innovation in new
of successful exports to developing countries of small satellites to technologies.
provide state-of-the art digital imagers for a range of remote sensing The new technologies and techniques developed for science
applications programmes will develop the capability and provide technologies
for future applications in the commercial sector. The investment will
Sensing technologies for the high growth markets ensure that the UK retains front-runner status in sensing technologies
A significant export market is foreseen for sensing systems over and in international programmes.
the next 5 years for low-cost SAR radar and imaging satellites for
Earth observation, surveillance and defence. Supply of space- Additional societal benefit will arise from development of EO
based systems for homeland security to UK and other Governments applications for climate change and environment monitoring and the
provides an important market opportunity. The most significant market new sensing systems to meet demanding requirements of space
areas which will be enabled by development of innovative sensing science and planetary exploration. The growth in UK technological
technologies are: capability will enable commercial sensing developments, with
consequent increases in export sales, job retention and creation.
• Maritime surveillance, monitoring of oil spills, icebergs and
deforestation, land use categorisation, disaster management
• Services for greenhouse gas and environmental monitoring,
including deforestation:
The concept for the NovaSAR low-cost imaging radar mission
22The Alphasat communications payload and engineering team in Portsmouth
About the Space Special Interest Group
The Technology Strategy Board created the Space Special Interest Group (SIG) to connect pan-Knowledge
Transfer Network (KTN) activities, acting as a mechanism to foster a space community that spans Government,
Industry and Academia. The Space SIG is the custodian of the National Space Technology Strategy and its
underpinning technology roadmaps.
The Space SIG was hosted by the Aerospace, Aviation and Defence Knowledge Transfer Network, it is now part
of the Knowledge Transfer Network.
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